Journal of

Background: Xylene is a volatile organic compound That cause central nervous system disorder and suspected cancer. Concern of occupational exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been increasing. Thus before being discharged to the environment, it must be treated from polluted air stream.

Methods: The research study is of the experimental type and was carried out on a laboratory scale. The experimental equipmen including of an air compressor, silicagel filters and activated charcoal, Syringe Pump, an ozone generation and a fixed bed reactor. The sampling, xylene analyzing in samples were done with 1501 Niosh Manual Analytic Method  by GC equipped with FID detector The performance of catalytic ozonation process was compared with that of single adsorption and ozonation in removal of several concentration of xylene under the similar experimental conditions.

Results: The results indicated that the catalytic ozonation concentration increased from 50 to 200 ppm, absorption break point and removal of xylene from hybrid reactor decreased from 12 to 8 h, while this time was between 9 and 5 h for pumice. When pumice and ozone come together, their synergistic effects increased on xylene degradation. Also the efficiency of absorbent decreased with the concentration increase of xylene.

Conclusion: With regard to high efficiency of catalytic ozonation process and increasing the xylene removal, the catalytic ozonation process is suggested as a promising and alternative technology for elimination of VOCs from the polluted air stream.